Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Acquired blaVIM Metallo-Lactamase Determinants
Author Information
Author(s): Gian Maria Rossolini, Maria Letizia Riccio, Giuseppe Cornaglia, Laura Pagani, Cristina Lagatolla, Roberta Fontana
Primary Institution: Universita di Siena, Siena, Italy; Universita di Verona, Verona, Italy; Universita di Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Universita di Trieste, Trieste, Italy; Universita 'La Sapienza,' Rome, Italy
Hypothesis
The emergence of blaVIM metallo-lactamase determinants in Pseudomonas aeruginosa could lead to widespread antimicrobial resistance.
Conclusion
The circulation of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa carrying blaVIM determinants is likely to become widespread across different hospitals in Italy.
Supporting Evidence
- blaVIM is the second known metallo-lactamase determinant that can spread among Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Five isolates from three hospitals in Italy were found to be highly resistant to carbapenems and other antibiotics.
- All five isolates were recognized by a blaVIM-specific probe in a colony-blot hybridization assay.
Takeaway
Some bacteria are becoming superbugs that can't be treated with common antibiotics, and a new gene called blaVIM is making this happen.
Methodology
Analysis of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from various hospitals in Italy.
Limitations
The study did not sequence the blaVIM-related genes carried by the isolates, leaving uncertainty about their genetic differences.
Participant Demographics
Isolates were obtained from multiple hospitals in Italy, including University Hospital of Verona, Pavia, Trieste, and Rome.
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